No Christmas at Notre-Dame, first in 200 years
It's one of the holiest days in the Catholic calendar, but for the first time since 1803 no Christmas mass will be celebrated in Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral.
While midnight and Christmas masses have traditionally taken place every year, the catastrophic fire that tore through the cathedral has closed it since April.
Cathedral rector Patrick Chauvet.
(French) NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL RECTOR, ARCHPRIEST PATRICK CHAUVET, SAYING:
"For every believer of Notre-Dame's, I think it will be a sign of hope to say 'Let's be patient, let's wait.' The Virgin Mary waited for the birth of her son, we are waiting for the rebirth of the cathedral."
Ceremonies will instead take place in a church near the Louvre palace, in Paris.
